by Paul Van
Previously we posited that the AI (Artificial Intelligence) enhanced IW (intelligent web) was creating a “New Generations Gap”. The “Gap” between the DIs (digital immigrants) born before 1980 and the DNs (digital natives) born after 1995 is most pronounced. The group born between 1980 and 1995,“tweeners”, are between 30 to 45 years of age and a jumbled assortment of DNs and DIs depending on their level of exposure to the IW during their formative years. For the purpose of this discussion we’ll ignore them.
The 45 year old and older DIs grew to adulthood without access to the IW. They used traditional methods to gain and store knowledge. Their data storage and cognitive processes were internal. Without instant access to the IW’s external sources for answers and solutions, DIs often take conclusive action without direct and specific knowledge They use internal cognitive processes to evaluate related internally stored knowledge. We call it “thinking on your feet”
By contrast, most of the 30 and under DNs have had lifelong access to the resources of the IW. They have answers and solutions from an external source without the need for internal memory storage or cognitive processing. Access to the AI and data resources of the IW give DNs a way to get answers and solve problems without expending energy on internal cognitive processes. It’s the miracle of the IW and largely responsible for the “New Generations Gap”.
The “Gap” historically has been an expression of the youthful “coming of age” process. As the young matured they absorbed contemporary knowledge, technology and customs from their elders and eventually joined the adult community. In recent generations rapidly advancing technology began to reverse our traditional understanding of the “Generations Gap”.
Twentieth century communications and transport technology dramatically accelerated the uptake of new technologies. Major innovations like electrification, automobiles, and air travel grew from inception to common use within a generation. The DNs have grown up with, and are quick to adopt, the latest and greatest in technologies and products. We of the older DI generations are slow to switch away from older technologies and products. It’s a natural human instinct to “go with what you know”. The end result has been a modern day reversal of the “Generations Gap”. The technologies used in normal every-day modern living come naturally to the younger generations because they aren’t required to abandon “old ways” in order to adopt “new ways”. Older adults reluctance to learn “new ways” are based on the questionable value of learning “new ways” when the “old ways” meet their needs.
Will future DNs armed with the AI enabled IW render obsolete the skilled occupations like teachers, engineers and medical doctors. After all anyone or any thing with a connection device has access to the sum of human knowledge. Does that mean that all the years of education and internal data storage pursued by professionals is simply redundant? Welcome to the “New Generations Gap”
For over a century the time honored means of measuring human intelligence has been the IQ test. For the entire 20th century the average gain in IQ test scores (the Flynn effect) has been about 3 points per decade. Then, between 2006 and 2018, IQ scores actually declined (the reverse Flynn effect)! Is it just a coincidence that that the decline in IQ test scores occurred in lockstep with our steadily increasing reliance on the IW as a substitute for internal cognition? Is it also a coincidence that the group suffering the largest IQ declines were the 18-22 year old DNs who comprise the group with the most long term exposure to the IW?
We DIs will be long gone by the end of the 21st century and the DNs will be the left to determine the fate of mankind. It’s almost certain by then that human technology will be capable of accommodating all our survival and physical requirements. Life will be a breeze, so how will that effect us? Will we find new ways to challenge and improve our minds and bodies or will we become flabby, complacent slaves to our own technology? It’s entirely up to you DNs and we DIs be watching from upstairs.
